Manhart Builds 823 hp BMW X5M Competition

• Nearly 200 more horses than standard

• Comes with bodywork that will never be mistaken for standard

Not happy with the 625 hp from a standard BMW X5 M Competition and its slightly more aggressive than standard bodywork? The crew at German performance tuning company Manhart certainly weren’t, so they’ve turned the wick up on the big BMW. All the way passed 800 and they’ve added the brand’s unique style to the crossover as well.

It starts with the 4.4L twin-turbo V8 that gets an upgraded pair of turbos from Manhart as well as a new intercooler. Combine that with the automaker’s new stainless exhaust with valves for more noise, and the quad tailpipes in carbon or ceramic coats and some ECU remapping and power grows from 625 hp and 553 lb-ft to 823 hp and 774 lb-ft of torque. To cope with the power, the tuning firm says they’ve made some upgrades to the eight-speed automatic as well.

Suspension upgrades were on tap too, with Manhart lowering the X5M by 30 mm and fitting its own hardware to replace various parts that link the X5M, now called the MHX5 800, with the ground and that includes 295/30 tires on special 22-inch wheels that fit just barely under the wheel arches. Surprisingly, the brakes are the stock BMW hardware that comes with the X5M Competition, not that anyone would call them inadequate.

The bodywork includes loads of carbon, and the entire thing refinished in Manhart’s signature black with gold accents. The new parts include a carbon hood with massive outlets, a new front spoiler and rear diffuser along with side skirts. The mirror caps are also carbon but come from BMW’s own performance catalogue.

Lastly, the interior gets gold trim accents on the seats and door panels, along with carbon trim added to the steering wheel spokes and the shift paddles. They’ll make more changes if you want them, on an individual basis.